It was used to televise the debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon on Sept. 26, 1960
AmericaJR’s Jason Rzucidlo visited the Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC) during his recent visit to downtown Chicago. Its mission is “to collect, preserve, and present historic and contemporary radio and television content as well as educate, inform and entertain through our archives, public programs, screenings, exhibits, publications and online access to our resources.” The Museum of Broadcast Communications is one of only three museums dedicated to broadcast history in the nation. Chicago hosted the first televised presidential debate, between Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy, on September 26, 1960.
Oprah’s Doors from “The Oprah Winfrey Show”
The Set from WGN’s “Family Classics”
Table and chairs from NBC’s “Meet the Press”
The set was featured during the Tim Russert years
U.S. Army Airborne jacket worn by comedian Bob Hope
Mugs used by TV anchor Paul Lisnek
WGN News coffee mug
Paul with Anderson Cooper
Scrub Woman’s Cap worn by Carol Burnett
Signed album “Carol Burnett Sings”
Jimmy Durante’s hat
An original animation cel used on “The Simpsons”
A vintage Associated Press wire machine
It contains the bulletin from President John F. Kennedy’s death in 1963
“The Camera That Changed America”
It was used to televise the debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon on Sept. 26, 1960
“Newhart” script autographed by Bob Newhart
“Family Affair” aired on CBS from 1966-1971
KODAK Digital Still Camera
Antique television sets
Police vest signed by the cast of NBC’s “Chicago P.D.”
Fireman’s hat from NBC’s “Chicago Fire”
KODAK Digital Still Camera
Chair made of baseball bats for former Cubs broadcaster Jack Brickhouse
Tony the Tiger
Antique camera used by WGN-TV 9
Bozo the Clown
Chicago’s Bozo’s Circus, which premiered in 1960, went national via cable and satellite in 1978.
KODAK Digital Still Camera
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997)
“Law and Order: SVU” (1999)
The Museum of Broadcast Communication is located at 360 North State StreetChicago. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday, and all federal holidays. For more information, visit http://www.museum.tv
